Comments on: BOCKSCAR … THE FORGOTTEN PLANE THAT DROPPED THE ATOMIC BOMBhttps://awesometalks.wordpress.com/2008/08/07/bockscar-the-forgotten-plane-that-dropped-the-atomic-bomb/
an AWESOMETALKS programSat, 09 Sep 2017 03:02:32 +0000hourly1http://wordpress.com/By: Tom Garciahttps://awesometalks.wordpress.com/2008/08/07/bockscar-the-forgotten-plane-that-dropped-the-atomic-bomb/#comment-23119
Sat, 09 Sep 2017 03:02:32 +0000http://awesometalks.wordpress.com/?p=411#comment-23119Congratulation to your father-in-law for his service his country and all its citizens. Enola Gay and Bock’s Car saved uncounted allied lives.
]]>By: Karen Arnoldhttps://awesometalks.wordpress.com/2008/08/07/bockscar-the-forgotten-plane-that-dropped-the-atomic-bomb/#comment-23107
Fri, 08 Sep 2017 17:25:21 +0000http://awesometalks.wordpress.com/?p=411#comment-23107I would be glad to answer any questions, if I know the answers. I know quite a bit, but more of a personal level of the men involved.
]]>By: Karen Arnoldhttps://awesometalks.wordpress.com/2008/08/07/bockscar-the-forgotten-plane-that-dropped-the-atomic-bomb/#comment-23106
Fri, 08 Sep 2017 17:19:45 +0000http://awesometalks.wordpress.com/?p=411#comment-23106My father in law, Roderick Arnold, was flight engineer on Bock’s Car all through the war. Last minute changes put him in the Great Artiste that followed BC to drop the bomb on Nagasaki. We have an unpublished picture of the cloud and many memories of meeting the crews for all the missions. They were all together on Tinian Island for this mission So very top secret. He would never talk about it, but did answer questions. He and all the men were doing their jobs and were proud to serve for our country. Some great men that did what they had to do.
]]>By: Vasily Mikhailovich Doestovskihttps://awesometalks.wordpress.com/2008/08/07/bockscar-the-forgotten-plane-that-dropped-the-atomic-bomb/#comment-23010
Wed, 02 Aug 2017 06:55:23 +0000http://awesometalks.wordpress.com/?p=411#comment-23010Thank you. I’m just hearing of Bockscar. I have been searching for answers since.
]]>By: Barry Cauchonhttps://awesometalks.wordpress.com/2008/08/07/bockscar-the-forgotten-plane-that-dropped-the-atomic-bomb/#comment-22707
Thu, 01 Jun 2017 13:42:13 +0000http://awesometalks.wordpress.com/?p=411#comment-22707Hi Gary,

Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts. As you stated, history is too often viewed in the context of today’s values and standards and the ‘real’ reasons for decisions that changed the world are often misunderstood and taken out of context.
Despite the events that took place 72 years ago, very few of us were even alive at the time to really experience the day-to-day coverage of the war, the propaganda (true or false) that was fed to the citizenship, the fear and hate of the Japanese and other Axis countries and, in general, the feelings of the nation that helped Truman and his cabinet make those decisions. I’m sure there were many people who were against such drastic actions but just as many or more supported them. I would suggest that with so many families affected by the war (all towns knew of many families whose sons had been drafted, sent off to war and killed) their opinions certainly would have leaned towards revenge and retribution with no guilt. “They hurt us so we are perfectly justified to hurt them back”!!!!! We see this everyday in our current lives. Today, we debate things like whether it was right or wrong to drop the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. If anyone comments on this without thoroughly researching and understanding the events of WWII and keeping it in context, then what you are getting is just someone’s opinion based on their current value system. I firmly believe this is not relevant to a discussion on an historical event. Anyone can have an opinion but an opinion does not give a fair view of history. On the other hand, if this same person has dug deeper into WWII and much better understands the big picture, then their opinion will carry much greater weight. Today’s communications technologies allow everyone to share opinions freely but, no matter how well intentioned those opinions may be, very few can be considered relevant because they lack real understanding of the history behind the events.

]]>By: Garyhttps://awesometalks.wordpress.com/2008/08/07/bockscar-the-forgotten-plane-that-dropped-the-atomic-bomb/#comment-22703
Thu, 01 Jun 2017 03:55:44 +0000http://awesometalks.wordpress.com/?p=411#comment-22703One thing I don’t think people realize and never ever have seen discussed is obviously the weapons were developed before Truman was president. As Commander in Chief his duty is to to protect the country and it’s citizens not our enemies. But what would have happened had he chose to invade rather than drop the bombs? He could not have faced the country knowing he possibly had been able to prevent all the killed,wounded,missing of his own countrymen. What would have happened if the country found out that all the casualties might have been avoided by weapons and systems already in place and ready to go? You cannot use todays values and life experiences and apply them to yesterdays decisions.

I have not yet been to see the Enola Gay but I have seen BocksCar many times. It has been 20 something years,last time just missing General Sweeney’s visit by days,since I have visited,but I was always amazed how accessible it was.
I’ll have to get the book The 509th Remembered,I have read War’s End and Enola Gay which were excellent. Thanks Barry

]]>By: Barry Cauchonhttps://awesometalks.wordpress.com/2008/08/07/bockscar-the-forgotten-plane-that-dropped-the-atomic-bomb/#comment-22434
Sun, 26 Mar 2017 13:52:01 +0000http://awesometalks.wordpress.com/?p=411#comment-22434Hi Richard,
Thank you for the question. Bockscar is on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. Are you hoping to visit there to see it one day?
Best,
Barry
]]>By: Richard Brookshttps://awesometalks.wordpress.com/2008/08/07/bockscar-the-forgotten-plane-that-dropped-the-atomic-bomb/#comment-22425
Sat, 25 Mar 2017 09:10:37 +0000http://awesometalks.wordpress.com/?p=411#comment-22425where is the plane bockscar now
]]>By: Richard. Rogershttps://awesometalks.wordpress.com/2008/08/07/bockscar-the-forgotten-plane-that-dropped-the-atomic-bomb/#comment-22269
Mon, 09 Jan 2017 15:25:03 +0000http://awesometalks.wordpress.com/?p=411#comment-22269Truman. Made. The right. Decision. And. Ok’d. The dropping of. The. Atomic. Bomb. It is estimated. We. Would have. Lost. A. Million. Men if we. Invaded. The. Mainland. Not. Counting. Prisoners. They. Held. In various. Camps. Would have. Been. Annialeted
]]>By: Larry Cookhttps://awesometalks.wordpress.com/2008/08/07/bockscar-the-forgotten-plane-that-dropped-the-atomic-bomb/#comment-22242
Sat, 31 Dec 2016 18:47:25 +0000http://awesometalks.wordpress.com/?p=411#comment-22242The use of the two nuclear weapons actually killed less people than did our fire bombing of Tokyo. Reading of the wall of fire, that sucked the very oxygen out of the air, killing many not directly affected by bombings, was horrid. But so is many things about war.
The use of the nuclear weapons, probably did more to show the Japanese people, that America was a terrible foe, and one that they should not fight. It changed the world for sure. The emperor addressed his people directly for the first time in history. How one can lead, yet be so out of touch with their subjects I cannot picture.
And a little known footnote, along with forgotten airplanes, there were American POW’s killed in the nuclear attacks. But of course we the victors make little mention of that.
Having lived in Japan for three years, as a youth, I found them to be non-hateful and full of life. Perhaps if leadership on both sides had been able to gather and talk, we might not have entered WWII so abruptly.
My research shows that Japan knew they had lost the war, but were willing to continue fighting to the bitter end. The two atomic bombs, showed that we could destroy their entire nation, at will. For if we had two, they knew we had many. America, the land of plenty.
Yes, we may have also held the idea of revenge on Japan, for the attack at Pearl Harbor. But that facet of history will never make it to light. Just dark hints of it. Along with it being possible that the Dec. 7th attack was a known deal. By not flying their third wave, and taking out the fuel and other resources, the attack ended not too much. A great loss of life, for little gain. Now days, Japan has Interests in much of Hawaii. Lost the war, winning it in buying power.
]]>By: Larry Cookhttps://awesometalks.wordpress.com/2008/08/07/bockscar-the-forgotten-plane-that-dropped-the-atomic-bomb/#comment-22241
Sat, 31 Dec 2016 18:35:48 +0000http://awesometalks.wordpress.com/?p=411#comment-22241Victim or not, nothing will change history. America might have shortened the war, saving lives in their use of atomic weapons, but nothing will change what happened. As a youth, I lived in Japan, and visited Hiroshima and Nagasake, in the early sixties. And to this day, fifty plus years later, I remember the images, photos and “people negatives” where shadows were white, with scorching black around them, where people died those days. Not great happy memories, but ones that make me less likely to want to nuke anyone. Unless we are so attacked. But the ”Peace Movement”, that wants to declare parts of America Nuclear Free Zones, well, no missile is going to read the placards, and avoid those areas. Passing such laws, is a stupid waste of time and money. If nuclear war ever happens, all of mankind will soon live in a nuclear free zone, or be dead.
The two planes, most citizens of America today, have little knowledge, or even care. When asked where the Berlin Wall was located, and their answers, show how little they care about history. If it is not on their smart phones, they pay no attention.
]]>By: Deborahhttps://awesometalks.wordpress.com/2008/08/07/bockscar-the-forgotten-plane-that-dropped-the-atomic-bomb/#comment-22105
Sat, 26 Nov 2016 01:49:50 +0000http://awesometalks.wordpress.com/?p=411#comment-22105Thank you – for my frredom to be here, to be ALIVE :)

Deborah, uk born 1971

]]>By: Sandyhttps://awesometalks.wordpress.com/2008/08/07/bockscar-the-forgotten-plane-that-dropped-the-atomic-bomb/#comment-21876
Tue, 12 Jul 2016 19:56:05 +0000http://awesometalks.wordpress.com/?p=411#comment-21876Ray Gallagher was my uncle and I am so very proud of what he and the other men did to end the war, although each of them would say that they were only doing what they were instructed to do.
]]>By: Robert whitehttps://awesometalks.wordpress.com/2008/08/07/bockscar-the-forgotten-plane-that-dropped-the-atomic-bomb/#comment-21653
Sat, 26 Mar 2016 01:35:12 +0000http://awesometalks.wordpress.com/?p=411#comment-21653John T White and his bay9 crew did the changes so they could drop the bombs.He and his crew fixted the door so they could get the gunner out in the air
]]>By: Barry Cauchonhttps://awesometalks.wordpress.com/2008/08/07/bockscar-the-forgotten-plane-that-dropped-the-atomic-bomb/#comment-21637
Thu, 17 Mar 2016 13:01:26 +0000http://awesometalks.wordpress.com/?p=411#comment-21637Hi John,
I couldn’t have said it better myself. I am proud to publish your post here and I hope that my readers, and kids in particular, get a better understanding of what our veterans (and even enemies at the time) went through. Our soldiers, their soldiers and many, many innocent people died during the war (and during all wars). War is hell. Let us never forget that. Thank you so much for your post.
Barry
]]>By: John DeBrierehttps://awesometalks.wordpress.com/2008/08/07/bockscar-the-forgotten-plane-that-dropped-the-atomic-bomb/#comment-21636
Thu, 17 Mar 2016 09:10:59 +0000http://awesometalks.wordpress.com/?p=411#comment-21636Well I have not forgotten it, not now not ever!!

My father, Capt. S.L DeBriere was a POW during the entire war who from hell ships(3 to be exact as 2 were sunk by the Hornet) from the Philippines finally took him to Fukuoka Camp #3 which was so very close to BocksCar’s primary target. So If Major Sweeny and his crew could have hit that target it is very unlikely that I could be here today writing to you.
As you may know there3 are those of us who say that on that day there were “God Sent Clouds” that protected our POW’s.
Yet it is also sad, yes I mean this, so sad that so many innocent people in Nagasaki lost their lives so I could be here today to write to you.
In the end the only conclusion is WAR is HELL and we must reasonably do what we can to prevent it as no one wins until many years after it is over.

In or around 2005 I lived in Japan and am responsible for finding the exact location of Fukuoka Camp #3. I found that so many Japanese were very thoughtful and willing to help me. I have asked Governor Aso of Fukuoka to build a monument there but with no response.

]]>By: Förödande bomb i Hiroshima | hissalararenhttps://awesometalks.wordpress.com/2008/08/07/bockscar-the-forgotten-plane-that-dropped-the-atomic-bomb/#comment-21152
Sat, 14 Nov 2015 18:24:06 +0000http://awesometalks.wordpress.com/?p=411#comment-21152[…] https://awesometalks.wordpress.com/2008/08/07/bockscar-the-forgotten-plane-that-dropped-the-atomic-b&#8230; […]
]]>By: Förödande atombomb över Hiroshima | vglitlabhttps://awesometalks.wordpress.com/2008/08/07/bockscar-the-forgotten-plane-that-dropped-the-atomic-bomb/#comment-21151
Sat, 14 Nov 2015 18:15:47 +0000http://awesometalks.wordpress.com/?p=411#comment-21151[…] https://awesometalks.wordpress.com/2008/08/07/bockscar-the-forgotten-plane-that-dropped-the-atomic-b&#8230; […]
]]>By: Tom Klonoskihttps://awesometalks.wordpress.com/2008/08/07/bockscar-the-forgotten-plane-that-dropped-the-atomic-bomb/#comment-20928
Fri, 21 Aug 2015 21:37:53 +0000http://awesometalks.wordpress.com/?p=411#comment-20928Whether the Nagasaki bomb ended the war has been hotly debated. The entry of the Soviet Union into the Pacific War raised the issue with Japanese leadership that the resulting Soviet involvement in the peace process could mean the Emperor would not be allowed to remain in his position. Soviet advances in Manchuria were rapid in August 1945, and there was the prospect that they would be involved in a two-front invasion of the home islands, giving them a role in surrender negotiations.
]]>By: Chris ruthhttps://awesometalks.wordpress.com/2008/08/07/bockscar-the-forgotten-plane-that-dropped-the-atomic-bomb/#comment-19053
Sat, 02 Aug 2014 07:39:43 +0000http://awesometalks.wordpress.com/?p=411#comment-19053I am curious about Ralph Curry (my uncle) too! I know he was the radio operator on Bockscar, but I beleive he was an sergeant!
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